Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas is a time of gift giving. If you could gift aspiring authors with one piece of advice,

what would it be?

I always have a hard time with this because I want to say something witty and wise. But really for me, I think it's quite simple. I actually have two little tidbits for you. And I know writers hear this a lot (probably because it's true) ;)

Follow your gut - and - Don't give up

The first one I've learned over many years of writing and editing and getting critiques and revising and repeating the process over and over. I get a lot of good crits from my crit partners. They catch A LOT of mistakes, help me patch a lot of plot holes, brainstorm with me and really help make my manuscripts shine.

But sometimes I think you can have (to use an old cliche) too many cooks in the kitchen. I remember one instance where I got a crit back, I revised incorporating the suggestions I'd received, sent that out to a new person for another crit only to get suggestions that advised changing what I'd just changed back to what I had before.

At some point, you just have to listen to your gut. YOU are the author. It is your book, your creation, your story. You know what's best for it. Now, if everyone is telling you there is a problem, you might want to listen :) But always follow your gut. It's usually right.

For the other - well, it's self-explanatory :) Don't give up. Yes, being an author is hard. If it wasn't, everyone would do it. Many people say they want to write a book. Some even do. Fewer write one and rewrite it and polish it and revise it again and make that baby actually publishable. Fewer still actually get the book published (though there are so many wonderful options out there for authors now that are enabling more books to hit those physical and virtual shelves).

If writing is what you want to do, don't let anything stop you. If being published is what you want, keep at it. Don't ever give up :)

Friday, December 21, 2012

Today I bring you our regularly scheduled funnies, but also, the ladies over at OA decided to start gearing up for the New Year's Revisions Conference by doing a little giveaway! :D Just fill out the rafflecopter below or head to OA for more details :)

Saturday, December 15, 2012

And the winner of my Entangled Under the Mistletoe's blog hop giveaway (a copy of To Trust a Thief) is.....

Eva!!

Congrats!! I'll be contacting you to get all your deets :)

Thanks to all who entered and if you didn't win, stay tuned because the release festivities for To Trust a Thief will be commencing in just a couple short weeks. There will be lots more opportunities to win copies of the book along with TONS of other really fun things. Starting with another celebration I'm participating in, the 24 Days of Guest Posts and Giveaways with Kate Evangelista. I'll be giving away a copy of To Trust a Thief on her blog on the 24th!!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

You know, it's really embarrassing that I've now missed two blog chain posts in a row seeing as how I'm the person who makes the schedule *facepalm* I blame the deadline :D Anyhow, won't happen again, promise!

I've been described as a writer of highly emotional and dark stories. So much so, that some could not read Transcend saying that while it was "beautifully crafted and written", the story was just too dark. So I ask you...How dark is too dark for your asthetic? And is writing "dark" and "emotional" a "bad" thing?

For me personally, I tend to lean toward romances and comedy. I also really enjoy mysteries, but I like them to have a good spark of humor. I do occasionally go for dark (depends on my mood) but it also depends on what kind of dark you are talking. Transcend didn't bother me. I enjoyed it, very much. For me, it's sort of a case-by-case scenario.

I don't think writing dark and emotional is at all a bad thing. However, there are a lot of people out there who won't want to read it, just because that is their personal preference, as it is usually mine to stay more toward the light-hearted end of the spectrum.

For me, personally, I read or watch movies to escape and relax - and delving into dark worlds doesn't usually allow me to do that. Again, I have my moments and there are some dark books and movies I simply love. But for the most part, when I can carve out a few moments, I want to laugh and fall in love. :)

How about you? Do you enjoy the dark? How dark is too dark for you?
Be sure to check out Lisa's and Alyson's posts and if you want to follow this chain from the beginning, head over to visit Kate :)

Monday, December 10, 2012

I am thrilled to help reveal the cover for Christine's newest book in the Requiem series!!!

Short Blurb for DOMINUS

“It’s been six months since my memories returned. Six months since Aydan was again ripped away from me. Six months since I broke a piece of my best friend’s soul.

Six months...”

Nesy has found her memories, her life. Now all she wants is to forget and be human. Only human. But fate holds a different destiny. Forced into a war she wants no part of, Nesy is put to the test in ways she never thought possible as she seeks to fix the mistakes she has made. And the mistakes of her former master, Mikayel. Will she be the Sentinal she was destined to be and put an end to the fighting once and for all? Or will she fail and send humanity into slavery?

The future of three worlds depends on the choices, and sacrifices, she must make in this final installment of the Requiem Series.

Availability:
Publisher: COMPASS PRESSGoodreads
Buy information will not be available until October, but it will be available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other fine retailers.

About Christine Fonseca
Critically acclaimed nonfiction and YA author Christine Fonseca is dedicated to helping children of all ages find their voice in the world. Drawing on her expertise as an educational psychologist, her nonfiction titles address issues of emotional intensity, resiliency and giftedness. In fiction, she explores the darker aspects of humanity and delivers gothic thrillers that take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. In life, she teaches her own children to embrace their unique talents and find their voice by being a force of positive change in the world.

When she’s not writing or developing programs to support children with exceptional needs, she can be found spending time with her family, sipping too many skinny vanilla lattes at her favorite coffee house or playing around on Facebook and Twitter. For more information about Christine Fonseca or her books, visit her website

Friday, December 7, 2012

As an awesome jump off to the holiday season, I'm participating in a couple blog hops. The first of which is Entangled's Under the Mistletoe blog hop! An amazing group of Entangled authors has decided to get together and spread a little holiday cheer :)

What will I being giving away?

A copy of my soon-to-be-released historical romance

Treasured Lies!

(note: Treasured Lies doesn't come out until Jan so the winner will receive their copy as soon as the book releases)

Just leave a comment below if you'd like to be entered in the drawing. Winner will be announced on Dec 15th!

Thursday, December 6, 2012

For starters, I'm participating in two blog hops. The first one will go up tomorrow so come back and check it out. And my post for the second one will go live on the 24th, but it's all ready going on and there is so much awesomeness happening you really don't want to miss it!

Every day from the 1st through the 24th, Kate is featuring a different author on her blog. Everyone is sharing lots of holiday fun AND giving away tons of great stuff. So head to Kate's blog and check it out!!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Finishing up this manuscript (that was due last week *ahem*) so this will be short and sweet. Just wanted to remind everyone that Operation Awesome's New Years Revisions Conference is coming up in just a few short weeks!!!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Hey all :) I'm participating in a fun event for Christmas - 24 Days of Guest Posts and Giveaways. Every day through Christmas Eve, a different author will be featured on Kate Evangelista's blog. So don't miss out on any of the awesome posts and giveaways! And take a look at the FB page for more info :)

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